The Advantage

(Proverbs 21:5 NASB) “The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, but everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty."

Successful people: Minimize the effects of bad experiences.

Successful people: Maximize the advantage of good experiences.

(Proverbs 3:19 NKJV) “The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; By understanding He established the heavens;”

Without wisdom you can’t succeed in the natural.

Without understanding you can’t succeed in the spiritual.

(Jeremiah 51:15 NKJV) “He has made the earth by His power; He has established the world by His wisdom, And stretched out the heaven by His understanding.”

Wisdom comes from God.

(Matthew 7:24-27 NLT) “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”

Understanding comes through the Holy Spirit.

(John 16:7, 12-13 NASB) “But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you... '"I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.”

Taking Advantage

1. Live in the Bible.

(Psalm 119:9 NIV) “How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.”

(Psalm 119:11 NIV) “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”

(Psalm 119:105 NIV) “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”

2. Listen for the Holy Spirit.

✓ Revelation - He opens my eyes to something I couldn’t see.

(Ephesians 1:17-18 NIV) “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people.”

✓ Perception - He helps me to make choices.

(Isaiah 30:21 NLT) “Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left.”